Frost dates for 46383Valparaiso, IN
The average last spring frost in Valparaiso is April 20 and the average first fall frost is October 26, giving a typical growing season of about 187 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 20
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 26
- Growing season
- 187 days
Safer after May 7 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 12 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 167 days
Frost risk by date
NOAA reports frost dates as probabilities. The middle date is the average (a 50% chance). For spring, the 10% date is a safer planting date: frost after it happens in about 1 year in 10. Light frost (36°F) can damage tender plants; a hard freeze (28°F) kills most annuals.
| Temperature | Last spring: 90% / 50% / 10% chance | First fall: 10% / 50% / 90% chance | Growing season (50%) | Years with at least one |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Light frost (36°F) | Apr 18 · May 1 · May 18 | Sep 30 · Oct 14 · Oct 28 | 163 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 6 · Apr 20 · May 7 | Oct 12 · Oct 26 · Nov 8 | 187 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 23 · Apr 7 · Apr 23 | Oct 25 · Nov 7 · Nov 23 | 212 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Valparaiso
Planting windows from the University of Maryland Extension calendar, shifted to your average frost dates. Use them as a starting point and adjust for seed packet instructions and local conditions.
| Crop | Task | Window |
|---|---|---|
| Tomatoes | Start seeds indoors | Mar 20 – May 26 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 6 – Jul 6 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 20 – Apr 20 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 20 – Jun 20 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 6 – May 5 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 20 – Jun 20 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 20 – Jul 16 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 6 – Jun 20 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 20 – Jun 20 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 6 – Aug 8 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 6 – Jul 6 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 20 – Jun 20 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 13 – Jun 5 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 20 – May 5 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 20 – May 20 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 6 – Mar 5 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 6 – May 5 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 2 – Apr 5 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 6 – May 5 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 26 – Jul 6 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 26 – Aug 6 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 20 – Mar 20 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 20 – Apr 20 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 16 – Jul 16 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 16 – Aug 16 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 20 – Jun 5 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 16 – Sep 1 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 13 – Apr 26 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 2 – Sep 6 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 20 – May 10 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 16 – Sep 16 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 6 – Apr 26 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 9 – Aug 16 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 20 – Jun 5 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 16 – Aug 1 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 16 – Nov 16 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 46383 is matched to the NOAA station Valparaiso Porter Co Muni Ap, IN, 5 km away, at 770 ft elevation (52 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Valparaiso Porter Co Muni Ap, IN (used) | 770 ft | Apr 20 | Oct 26 |
| Valparaiso Wtr Wks, IN | 800 ft | Apr 22 | Oct 25 |
| Wanatah 2 Wnw, IN | 735 ft | Apr 29 | Oct 13 |
| Indiana Dunes Nl, IN | 680 ft | Apr 22 | Oct 27 |
Frost dates near Valparaiso
- Valparaiso, IN 46385 · last Apr 20, first Oct 26
- Wheeler, IN 46393 · last Apr 22, first Oct 27
- Boone Grove, IN 46302 · last Apr 20, first Oct 26
- Portage, IN 46368 · last Apr 22, first Oct 27
- Westville, IN 46391 · last Apr 29, first Oct 13
- Kouts, IN 46347 · last Apr 29, first Oct 13
- Hobart, IN 46342 · last Apr 22, first Oct 27
- Wanatah, IN 46390 · last Apr 29, first Oct 13
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Valparaiso, IN?
- For ZIP code 46383, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 20, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Valparaiso Porter Co Muni Ap, IN weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 7.
- When is the first frost in Valparaiso, IN?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 26. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 12, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 46383?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 187 days long.
- Are these frost dates a forecast?
- No. They are 30-year averages and probabilities from NOAA weather station records. Use them to plan, then watch your local forecast before planting tender crops or leaving them uncovered.